Riding levels explained: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
The short answer
MotoBFF uses three riding levels: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. Each group ride has one, so riders can join rides that match their pace. Your level is self-declared, you can change it any time, and the app never blocks you from joining a ride above it.
Ask any rider what makes a bad group ride and you'll hear the same story. Someone was pushed to ride faster than they were comfortable with. Or the opposite: an experienced rider spent the whole day in second gear, waiting.
Neither of them did anything wrong. They joined the wrong ride.
That's why every group ride on MotoBFF has a riding level, and why we ask for yours.
The three levels
Beginner
You're new to riding, new to this bike or getting back on after a long break. You prefer a relaxed pace, wider roads and plenty of stops. Beginner rides go at the pace of the slowest rider, with nobody in a hurry.
Intermediate
You've ridden a few seasons and you're comfortable on twisty roads, in traffic and in a group. You enjoy a good pace but not at the limit. Most group rides are here.
Advanced
You have a lot of experience, a smooth and confident style, and you're happy on tight passes, at a brisk pace and in mixed conditions. Advanced rides tend to be longer and faster.
How to choose yours
Your riding level is about how you ride today, not how many years you've had a licence or how big your bike is. A few questions help:
- How do you feel in a series of tight corners? If you're still thinking about each one, start at Beginner.
- Can you hold a steady pace in a group without watching the bike in front? That's a good sign of Intermediate.
- Do you ride mountain passes, wet roads and long days without it being a big deal? You're probably Advanced.
When in doubt, choose the lower level. It's always more fun to be comfortably inside the group's pace than struggling at the back.
How MotoBFF uses it
On rides. Every ride on the map shows its level by colour, so you can tell at a glance which ones suit you.
When you join. If you join a ride above your level, MotoBFF tells you once and lets you decide. You might know the host, or the road, or want to push a little. That's your call. We never block you from joining.
On your profile. Other riders see your level, so a host can say hello and place you in the group.
It's self-declared, and that's the point
Nobody tests your riding level, and MotoBFF never moves you down. You can change it any time in your profile.
We thought about scores, badges and automatic levels. They all lead to the same thing: people inflating their level to get into rides. A level you choose yourself, with clear descriptions, works better because there's nothing to game.
Level isn't rank
MotoBFF also has a rank that grows as you ride, host and help other riders. Rank is about how much you've done in the app. Riding level is about how you ride. They're separate on purpose.
Hosts: pick the level for the road
If you're posting a ride, choose the level for the route and the pace you plan, not for yourself. An Advanced rider can host a great Beginner ride, and often the best Beginner rides are hosted by experienced riders who enjoy showing people a road.
Questions riders ask
Which riding level should I choose?
Choose the level that describes how you ride today. When in doubt, choose the lower one.
Can I join a ride above my riding level?
Yes. MotoBFF tells you once that the ride is above your level, then lets you decide.
Is riding level the same as rank in MotoBFF?
No. Rank grows with what you do in the app. Riding level describes how you ride.